15" vs 16" vs 17" options for negative offset- Help me decide.

I have a 2003 4wd xtracab, currently running 245/65/16 on the beatup stock wheels. Ive been itching to have enough cash to swap them out for something better. I have been circling forums, keyword google searches and online tireshops for days scrambling my brain about my potential tire and wheel package and my money burning a hole in my pocket. Im trying to keep it under $1000 for my the tire and wheel setup and I need some help.

Issue: I can't find any wheel option that easily checks all my boxes, of cost, style, offset, size etc... I just bought a set of second-hand Wildpeak A/T3W 265/70/16 with 90% tread for $235 total from B&R and they are sitting in my garage waiting for me to purchase wheels to put them on. I was going buy the Pro Comp 29 16x8 which I found for $492 a set on sale from 4WheelParts. I love the look of the wheels and super decent price, but they have a zero offset so I would need to rock them with wheel spacers to get my intended tire stance. I noticed more options for wheels in the styles I like with negative offset in the 15" and 17" sizes. Most 17" wheels are 9" wide though and then my brain starts to hurt wondering if that will fit my first gen and how the extra width of wheel calculates into the offset for how they will actually sit on my truck.

Preference: I want an decently rugged all terrain tire on black rims with the faux beadlock and a wider tire stance that protrudes slightly from the fender flares. Seconary to that I was assuming to keep 16" wheels since I already have the tires to fit. If I did switch I'm inclined to go to a 15" rathan than 17" since I like wider tire wall for more rugged/offroad as apposed to bigger wheel circumfrance.

Options:
1. Keep the tires I have, go with the Pro Comp 29 and buy something like the Spidertrax 1.25" spacers which would another $218. For a setup price of $945.

2. Resell my tires, and look for something else used in 15" or 17" from B&R hopefully around $250 again (ideally something like the K02s if possible). Then buy the corresponding size of wheel, something like American Racing AR969 15x8 -19 offset for $600, or the Method 301 Standard 15x8 -6 offset for $691... Pro Comp 05, 41, 45 in 17x9 which all have -6 offset and all $600 a set. Total setup price of $850- $940.

What would you do in this situation? Are there any other variables I should take into consideration?

 

If I was buying a set of wheels (which I'm actually in the market for), I'd opt for steel wheels like the factory spare.

Those wheels with a fresh coat of black just do it for me

 

Yeah actually me too. Im rocking my spare right now (flat tire punctured on a trail being part of my impetus to be on the market for a new setup) and I like the way it looks waaay better than the stock rims.

If i just gave up my desire for the beadlock look then the Pro Comp 69 vintage styles are like $100 a wheel right now, plus theyre -12 offset. Or B&R has an A grade set of used Ultra Type 164 right now for $300. I just feel like they fade into the tire too much without the extra splash of chrome on the rim.

 

If this were my truck I'd probably stick with the tires you have and look for 16" rims that are compatible with the Tundra 13WL calipers:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...my-1st-gen-thread.563416/page-3#post-24354894

 

I hadnt really thought about this, but thats a good point to keep in mind for an upgrade.

 

The wheels you have will clear Tundra calipers and check all the boxes you mention.
Just paint them. Everything is used after using it once.

 

You mean the stock wheels, or the Pro Comp 29s I mentioned? The stock ones are fugly and rusted... (I have one of those frame replacement tacomas that turned to a rust bucket on the underneath) Also the guy before me had already rattle canned them silver which is chipping off over the rust so I'll be so happy to dump those soon.

At this point I think its easier to just stay with 16s...also considering the advice for leaving myself open for the Tundra 13WL caliper upgrade, thus ruling out 15s.

But I am still waivering between the Pro Comp 29s with the Spidertrax 1.25", or maybe give up the whole beadlock look for now and go with the Pro Comp 69s or the Ultra Type 164 (both extremely similar) without spacers.

 

I guess in the end I realize its just my preference, but Im so damn indecisive. haha!

 

@1997tacomav6 , @Jon64l , and I have Dick Cepec C-2’s which come in 16x8 with -3.5 backspacing which is like mating a 1” ish spacer to a stock alloy wheel. They both have first gens and left them unpainted and I painted them black and have them on my second gen.






https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...lqal5VedIR8zne-RfXzD8Ebkp9rEowwRoCajUQAvD_BwE

 

I'm pretty sure mine are -4.5" back spacing. I could be wrong.
@Dalandser

I would say just get some steel wheels, usually pretty cheap. Unless you find a deal on something. I honestly can't say I'm in love with my wheels, but they are the right size and offset, so I choose function over form. There is plenty of other things to spend money on than fashion Imo.

Also if you wheel alot, a smaller rim gives you more tire side wall to soak up the rocks. Larger rims clear bigger brakes, so its a trade off. Since I already had 15" rims and my friend donated 35" tires, I couldn't get bigger brakes, so I upgraded my brake pads to Ebc Yellow Stuff. More bite and fade resistance.

 

Ok I just found this tire size/offset calculator which is immensely helpful. I've seen a few good tire size calculators but this one actually shows how the tire will ride in the wheel well which I had never seen before. Mind blown! haha.

 

Ok so I went with the 16x8 Pro Comp 29 and am sticking with my previously purchased 265/70/16 Wildpeaks. Foregoing the spacers for now and just gonna see how a slightly wider tire and wheel at a zero offset rides.

But... I also decided to order a set of Bilstein 5100s for the front end as well.

And in derailing my own thread...
Is $489 in labor for install on the shocks, tires and wheels too much? Pretty sure it includes alignment as well, but I know they normally charge $80 for mounting and balancing the tires/wheels, so thats basically $409 for putting the Bilsteins on the front end & doing the alignment.

 

Its a little much, but it depends on your situation. You can typically rent spring compressors for free (you buy them and return them), and just need some basic hand tools beyond that. Do you have more time than money, or more money than time?

 

I normally am ok in digging into a project like this on my own, but I dont have a lot of tools right now or a good place to work on it (since my driveway in the city is shit Id be doing it streetside) plus it just started the rainy season in portland... so its be shit to be doing this in the rain in the side of the road without all the tools in hand, which is why I was ok just paying someone with a shop to do it.

I guess I was just a little surprised cause I had heard someone else mention a $200-$300 install but not sure if prices have gone up, its the area Im in, or just the shop prices that are high. I guess I can call around tomorrow and just see if anyone else will do it cheaper and/or negotiate the price a bit. I did throw in an extra $70 on top of that for a 3 year warranty on parts and labor. Seemed like a good precaution but not sure if its necessary.